Awards
The Tennessee Association of Dance recognizes exceptional service to the field of
dance through three honorary awards, and offers a professional development to Tennessee's
dance professionals.
Dance Advocate Application
Margaret Martin Guidelines
Outstanding Dance
Educator Forms
Professional Development
Award Forms
Kathy Callaghan - Outstanding Dance Educator Award
Kathy has taught Ballet for the Metropolitan Board of Parks and Recreation in Nashville,
Tennessee for several years and is currently the Artistic Director for the Centennial
Youth Ballet. CYB offers performance opportunities in classic and contemporary ballets
to prepare them for the professional world if the choose to go into the field of
dance. Kathy is in charge of all aspects of these productions from choreography
to lights and music. She is able to do all of this and still nurture authentic artistry
in each dancer. For thirty years her ballet classes have offered a stable and positive
environment geared toward higher standards in learning. Kathy attends teacher summer
workshops always looking for new and exciting ways to communicate solid technique
to her students. She never stops learning because she loves teaching. Nashville
is very lucky to have her. Congratulations Kathy!
Hal Baker - Dance Advocate of the Year Award
Under the leadership of Hal Baker, Orange Grove Center in Chattanooga added a dance
program to its curriculum almost 22 years ago. Its dance curriculum began with movement
exploration classes funded by a grant so that all clients could participate. The
program was and is taught by Dr. Ann Shea. Orange Grove Center is a private, non-profit
organization serving adults and children with developmental disabilities. Some of
these clients would go on to become performers and the Orange Grove Dancers began
to perform for audiences. Mr. Baker was the dance group’s biggest fan, calling them,
“one of the jewels in the crown that is Orange Grove.” He came to every performance
he could and made sure that each year there was money available to continue this
program. Not only does this program enrich the lives of the participants at Orange
Grove but it enriches the lives of all those who get to perform with them from Nebraska
to Florida. Hal Baker created an incredible experience when he began this in 1987.
Cathie Kasch Student Choreography Project
Student Choreography
Forms
Congratulations to the inaugural winners of the new Cathie Kasch Student Choreography
Project. Award winners were selected at Conference ‘09 by Conference guest faculty
adjudicators.
1st place: Eller Mallchok, Emily Rice, Sarah Evatt and Sarah Douglas McCall of Girls
Preparatory School in Chattanooga
2nd place: Claire Phillips of Center for Creative Arts in Chattanooga
3rd place: Alaina Runions of Austin Peay State University in Clarksville
Honorable Mention: Jeremiah Welch of Austin East Magnet High School in Knoxville.